diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/secret.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/secret.go
index 3a4105d..eee4a37 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/secret.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/secret.go
@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ func secretRecover(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 	out := set.String("out", "", "where to write the value (0600); - for standard output. Default <node>.<module>.<name>.secret")
 	fromExport := set.String("from-export", "", "read the sealed copy from this `secret export` file instead of the store")
 	provider := set.String("provider", "", "for a pair credential held from more than one provider: which one")
+	local := set.String("local", "", "for a pair credential the module keeps under a local name (ADR 0094): which one")
 	if err := set.Parse(flags); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -147,7 +148,7 @@ func secretRecover(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 			return err
 		}
 		defer open.Close()
-		kept, err = open.inventory.KeptSecret(ctx, node, module, name, *provider)
+		kept, err = open.inventory.KeptSecret(ctx, node, module, name, *provider, *local)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
diff --git a/internal/builder/builder.go b/internal/builder/builder.go
index a592c52..ca7c3d6 100644
--- a/internal/builder/builder.go
+++ b/internal/builder/builder.go
@@ -831,11 +831,7 @@ func undeclaredFetches(recipe string, declared map[string]bool) (bases, copies [
 			*out = append(*out, ref)
 		}
 	}
-	for _, raw := range strings.Split(recipe, "\n") {
-		line := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
-		if line == "" || strings.HasPrefix(line, "#") {
-			continue
-		}
+	for _, line := range instructions(recipe) {
 		fields := strings.Fields(line)
 		switch strings.ToUpper(fields[0]) {
 		case "FROM":
@@ -860,7 +856,64 @@ func undeclaredFetches(recipe string, declared map[string]bool) (bases, copies [
 					note(strings.TrimPrefix(f, "--from="))
 				}
 			}
+		case "RUN":
+			// RUN --mount=type=bind,from=<image>,… reaches for an image exactly as COPY --from does.
+			out = &copies
+			for _, f := range fields[1:] {
+				if !strings.HasPrefix(f, "--mount=") {
+					continue
+				}
+				for _, opt := range strings.Split(strings.TrimPrefix(f, "--mount="), ",") {
+					if from, found := strings.CutPrefix(opt, "from="); found {
+						note(from)
+					}
+				}
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	return bases, copies
 }
+
+// instructions is a recipe as its instructions, one per line: continuations joined, comments and
+// blank lines dropped, and heredoc bodies (`COPY <<EOF … EOF`) skipped — a Python file written into
+// an image is not a list of images to fetch. The review found a `COPY \` continued onto the next
+// line slip past the check, and a stage named on a continuation line refused as a fetch.
+func instructions(recipe string) []string {
+	var out []string
+	var current strings.Builder
+	var heredoc string
+	flush := func() {
+		if line := strings.TrimSpace(current.String()); line != "" && !strings.HasPrefix(line, "#") {
+			out = append(out, line)
+		}
+		current.Reset()
+	}
+	for _, raw := range strings.Split(recipe, "\n") {
+		if heredoc != "" {
+			if strings.TrimSpace(raw) == heredoc {
+				heredoc = ""
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		line := strings.TrimRight(raw, " \t")
+		if strings.HasPrefix(strings.TrimSpace(line), "#") && current.Len() == 0 {
+			continue
+		}
+		if strings.HasSuffix(line, "\\") {
+			current.WriteString(strings.TrimSuffix(line, "\\"))
+			current.WriteString(" ")
+			continue
+		}
+		current.WriteString(line)
+		if at := strings.Index(current.String(), "<<"); at >= 0 {
+			// `<<EOF`, `<<-EOF`, `<<'EOF'`, `<<"EOF"`: the body runs to a line that is the word.
+			word := strings.Fields(current.String()[at+2:])
+			if len(word) > 0 {
+				heredoc = strings.Trim(strings.TrimPrefix(word[0], "-"), `'"`)
+			}
+		}
+		flush()
+	}
+	flush()
+	return out
+}
diff --git a/internal/builder/mirror.go b/internal/builder/mirror.go
index 2f6b675..3a5b4db 100644
--- a/internal/builder/mirror.go
+++ b/internal/builder/mirror.go
@@ -52,6 +52,11 @@ func parseReference(ref string) (upstream, error) {
 	name, reference := ref, "latest"
 	if at := strings.Index(ref, "@"); at >= 0 {
 		name, reference = ref[:at], ref[at+1:]
+		// `repo:tag@digest` is what a runtime prints; the digest names the image and the tag is
+		// only what it was called. The tag is not part of the repository.
+		if colon := strings.LastIndex(name, ":"); colon > strings.LastIndex(name, "/") {
+			name = name[:colon]
+		}
 	} else if colon := strings.LastIndex(ref, ":"); colon > strings.LastIndex(ref, "/") {
 		name, reference = ref[:colon], ref[colon+1:]
 	}
diff --git a/internal/builder/mirror_test.go b/internal/builder/mirror_test.go
index 38fe594..6a2749c 100644
--- a/internal/builder/mirror_test.go
+++ b/internal/builder/mirror_test.go
@@ -208,3 +208,14 @@ func TestAReferenceIsReadTheWayARuntimeReadsIt(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// `repo:tag@digest` is what a runtime prints; the tag is not part of the repository (review C6).
+func TestATagBeforeTheDigestIsNotPartOfTheRepository(t *testing.T) {
+	got, err := parseReference("quay.io/minio/mc:RELEASE.2025@sha256:abc")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if got.repository != "minio/mc" || got.reference != "sha256:abc" {
+		t.Fatalf("got %+v", got)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/builder/standing_on_test.go b/internal/builder/standing_on_test.go
index ee9cc0c..61a94ab 100644
--- a/internal/builder/standing_on_test.go
+++ b/internal/builder/standing_on_test.go
@@ -133,3 +133,22 @@ FROM golang:1.25-alpine AS go
 		t.Fatalf("declared arguments are not fetches: %v", copies)
 	}
 }
+
+// Continued lines are one instruction, heredoc bodies are not instructions, and a RUN --mount reaches
+// for an image as a COPY --from does (review C4, C5).
+func TestARecipeIsReadAsInstructions(t *testing.T) {
+	recipe := "ARG RUNTIME_BASE\n" +
+		"FROM ${RUNTIME_BASE} \\\n  AS build\n" +
+		"COPY \\\n  --from=docker.io/vendor/one:latest /a /a\n" +
+		"COPY --from=build /out /out\n" +
+		"COPY <<EOF /app/x.py\nfrom os import path\nEOF\n" +
+		"RUN --mount=type=bind,from=docker.io/vendor/two:1,target=/t cp /t/x /x\n" +
+		"FROM scratch\n"
+	bases, copies := undeclaredFetches(recipe, map[string]bool{"RUNTIME_BASE": true})
+	if strings.Join(copies, "|") != "docker.io/vendor/one:latest|docker.io/vendor/two:1" {
+		t.Fatalf("copies: %v", copies)
+	}
+	if len(bases) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("a heredoc line or a continued stage was read as a base: %v", bases)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/declaration.go b/internal/catalogue/declaration.go
index 41910d9..909322f 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/declaration.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/declaration.go
@@ -651,7 +651,10 @@ func (r Resolution) contributions(settings SettingsBy, grants []Grant,
 		if sorted[i].Consumer != sorted[j].Consumer {
 			return sorted[i].Consumer < sorted[j].Consumer
 		}
-		return sorted[i].From < sorted[j].From
+		if sorted[i].From != sorted[j].From {
+			return sorted[i].From < sorted[j].From
+		}
+		return sorted[i].Local < sorted[j].Local
 	})
 	// A consumer already carried by the grants loop, keyed (provision, module). When provider and
 	// consumer are co-located, `grantsFor` enumerates the same-node consumer too, so without this the
@@ -788,6 +791,8 @@ type Kept struct {
 	Sealed string    `json:"sealed"`
 	Key    string    `json:"key"`
 	MadeAt time.Time `json:"made-at"`
+	// Local is the credential's name inside the consumer where it holds several (ADR 0094).
+	Local string `json:"local,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // KeptExport is what a person keeps beside the operator key, and what a vault keeps on its disk:
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/manifest.go b/internal/catalogue/manifest.go
index fbf92c6..9f37ebc 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/manifest.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/manifest.go
@@ -1050,6 +1050,7 @@ func ParseManifest(raw []byte) (Manifest, error) {
 			problems = append(problems, m.Module+" needs a secret with no name")
 		}
 	}
+	localOf := map[string]string{}
 	for _, to := range m.SecretRequirements() {
 		if _, plain := m.Secrets[to]; plain {
 			if _, also := m.SecretsMany[to]; also {
@@ -1069,9 +1070,15 @@ func ParseManifest(raw []byte) (Manifest, error) {
 					m.Module, to, f.Local))
 			}
 			// A local name is what `${secret:<name>}` says, so it may not be another requirement's
-			// name or one of the module's own secrets — the file would hold the wrong credential
-			// while every check passed.
+			// name, another requirement's local name, or one of the module's own secrets — the
+			// file would hold the wrong credential while every check passed.
 			if f.Local != "" {
+				if other, taken := localOf[f.Local]; taken && other != to {
+					problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
+						"%s keeps credentials for %q and %q both under %q — a local name names one",
+						m.Module, other, to, f.Local))
+				}
+				localOf[f.Local] = to
 				if _, own := m.OwnSecrets[f.Local]; own {
 					problems = append(problems, fmt.Sprintf(
 						"%s keeps a credential for %q under %q, which is also one of its own secrets",
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/resolve.go b/internal/catalogue/resolve.go
index 8439f2c..8f25164 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/resolve.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/resolve.go
@@ -881,7 +881,9 @@ func perConsumer(needs []Needed, order []string, catalogue map[string]Manifest)
 // from one provider (ADR 0094). Each is its own pair credential downstream.
 func eachLocal(needs []Needed, catalogue map[string]Manifest, n Needed) []Needed {
 	files := catalogue[n.For].SecretFiles(n.Name)
-	if len(files) <= 1 {
+	// One file under a local name is still a local name: the review found a module keeping ONE
+	// named secret given a need with no local, and so no file, while everything reported success.
+	if len(files) == 0 || (len(files) == 1 && files[0].Local == "") {
 		return append(needs, n)
 	}
 	for _, f := range files {
diff --git a/internal/catalogue/several_secrets_test.go b/internal/catalogue/several_secrets_test.go
index 60a0be4..e074898 100644
--- a/internal/catalogue/several_secrets_test.go
+++ b/internal/catalogue/several_secrets_test.go
@@ -159,3 +159,47 @@ func TestAProviderKeepsOneFilePerHolder(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("two holders are two grant files: %v", ids)
 	}
 }
+
+// One file under a local name is still a local name (review C1): the need carries it, the file
+// is written, and ${secret:<name>} is filled.
+func TestOneLocalNameIsStillALocalName(t *testing.T) {
+	only, _ := ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"one","version":"1","requires":["secret"],
+	  "secrets":{"secret":{"only":"/var/lib/one/only"}}}`))
+	vault := vaultAndCA()["mesh-vault"]
+	got, err := Resolve(shelf(vault, only), []string{"mesh-vault", "one"}, workstation(), World{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var found *Needed
+	for i, n := range got.Needs {
+		if n.For == "one" && n.Name == "secret" {
+			found = &got.Needs[i]
+		}
+	}
+	if found == nil || found.Local != "only" {
+		t.Fatalf("the one named file did not become a need under its name: %v", got.Needs)
+	}
+	found.Sealed = "sealed-only"
+	out, err := got.Declaration(Rendering{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var written bool
+	for _, r := range out {
+		if r["path"] == "/var/lib/one/only" && r["sealed"] == "sealed-only" {
+			written = true
+		}
+	}
+	if !written {
+		t.Fatal("the file under the one local name was not written")
+	}
+}
+
+// A local name names one credential: two requirements may not share it (review C2).
+func TestALocalNameIsUniqueAcrossRequirements(t *testing.T) {
+	_, err := ParseManifest([]byte(`{"module":"x","version":"1","requires":["secret","postgres-database"],
+	  "secrets":{"secret":{"x":"/var/lib/x/a"},"postgres-database":{"x":"/var/lib/x/b"}}}`))
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "both under") {
+		t.Fatalf("two requirements under one local name were accepted: %v", err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/inventory/operator.go b/internal/inventory/operator.go
index 7e6b0b5..52b6723 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/operator.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/operator.go
@@ -124,20 +124,20 @@ func (i *Inventory) KeptForOperator(ctx context.Context) (kept, earlier, unrecov
 	}
 	rows, err := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
 		`select 'own', n.name, s.module, s.name, '', s.origin, coalesce(s.operator_sealed, ''),
-		        coalesce(s.operator_key, ''), s.made_at
+		        coalesce(s.operator_key, ''), s.made_at, ''
 		   from module_secret s join node n on n.id = s.node
 		 union all
-		 select 'pair', c.name, s.consumer_module, s.name, p.name, 'made', coalesce(s.operator_sealed, ''),
-		        coalesce(s.operator_key, ''), s.created_at
+		 select 'pair', c.name, s.consumer_module, s.name, p.name, s.origin, coalesce(s.operator_sealed, ''),
+		        coalesce(s.operator_key, ''), s.created_at, s.local
 		   from secret s join node c on c.id = s.consumer join node p on p.id = s.provider
-		  order by 1, 2, 3, 4`)
+		  order by 1, 2, 3, 4, 10`)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, nil, err
 	}
 	defer rows.Close()
 	for rows.Next() {
 		var k Kept
-		if err := rows.Scan(&k.Kind, &k.Node, &k.Module, &k.Name, &k.Provider, &k.Origin, &k.Sealed, &k.Key, &k.MadeAt); err != nil {
+		if err := rows.Scan(&k.Kind, &k.Node, &k.Module, &k.Name, &k.Provider, &k.Origin, &k.Sealed, &k.Key, &k.MadeAt, &k.Local); err != nil {
 			return nil, nil, nil, err
 		}
 		switch {
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ func (i *Inventory) KeptForOperator(ctx context.Context) (kept, earlier, unrecov
 // credential is keyed by provider as well, and a consumer whose provision moved leaves the old
 // provider's row behind: two rows is refused with both providers named, never answered with
 // whichever came first, unless `provider` says which.
-func (i *Inventory) KeptSecret(ctx context.Context, node, module, name, provider string) (Kept, error) {
+func (i *Inventory) KeptSecret(ctx context.Context, node, module, name, provider, local string) (Kept, error) {
 	var k Kept
 	err := i.store.Pool().QueryRow(ctx,
 		`select 'own', n.name, s.module, s.name, '', s.origin, coalesce(s.operator_sealed, ''),
@@ -169,11 +169,12 @@ func (i *Inventory) KeptSecret(ctx context.Context, node, module, name, provider
 		Scan(&k.Kind, &k.Node, &k.Module, &k.Name, &k.Provider, &k.Origin, &k.Sealed, &k.Key, &k.MadeAt)
 	if errors.Is(err, pgx.ErrNoRows) {
 		rows, qerr := i.store.Pool().Query(ctx,
-			`select 'pair', c.name, s.consumer_module, s.name, p.name, 'made', coalesce(s.operator_sealed, ''),
-			        coalesce(s.operator_key, ''), s.created_at
+			`select 'pair', c.name, s.consumer_module, s.name, p.name, s.origin, coalesce(s.operator_sealed, ''),
+			        coalesce(s.operator_key, ''), s.created_at, s.local
 			   from secret s join node c on c.id = s.consumer join node p on p.id = s.provider
 			  where c.name = $1 and s.consumer_module = $2 and s.name = $3 and ($4 = '' or p.name = $4)
-			  order by p.name`, node, module, name, provider)
+			    and s.local = $5
+			  order by p.name`, node, module, name, provider, local)
 		if qerr != nil {
 			return Kept{}, qerr
 		}
@@ -181,7 +182,7 @@ func (i *Inventory) KeptSecret(ctx context.Context, node, module, name, provider
 		var found []Kept
 		for rows.Next() {
 			var row Kept
-			if err := rows.Scan(&row.Kind, &row.Node, &row.Module, &row.Name, &row.Provider, &row.Origin, &row.Sealed, &row.Key, &row.MadeAt); err != nil {
+			if err := rows.Scan(&row.Kind, &row.Node, &row.Module, &row.Name, &row.Provider, &row.Origin, &row.Sealed, &row.Key, &row.MadeAt, &row.Local); err != nil {
 				return Kept{}, err
 			}
 			found = append(found, row)
diff --git a/internal/inventory/operator_test.go b/internal/inventory/operator_test.go
index e4179e9..9cfe052 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/operator_test.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/operator_test.go
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func TestAnOwnSecretIsSealedToTheOperatorToo(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := inv.SecretForModule(ctx, "consumer", "postgres", "superuser"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if _, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "postgres", "superuser", ""); err == nil {
+	if _, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "postgres", "superuser", "", ""); err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("a secret made before the operator key was reported recoverable")
 	}
 	kept, _, unrecoverable, err := inv.KeptForOperator(ctx)
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func TestAnOwnSecretIsSealedToTheOperatorToo(t *testing.T) {
 	if len(kept) != 2 || len(unrecoverable) != 1 {
 		t.Fatalf("after a key: %d kept, %d unrecoverable", len(kept), len(unrecoverable))
 	}
-	got, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "provider", "postgres", "replication", "")
+	got, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "provider", "postgres", "replication", "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ func TestAnOwnSecretIsSealedToTheOperatorToo(t *testing.T) {
 	if got.Origin != "accepted" || got.Key != pub {
 		t.Fatalf("kept as %+v", got)
 	}
-	minted, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "provider", "postgres", "superuser", "")
+	minted, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "provider", "postgres", "superuser", "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func TestAnOwnSecretIsSealedToTheOperatorToo(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := inv.SecretForModule(ctx, "consumer", "postgres", "superuser"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if _, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "postgres", "superuser", ""); err == nil {
+	if _, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "postgres", "superuser", "", ""); err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("asking again did not remake, yet it became recoverable")
 	}
 	// Until the node rejoins with a new sealing key: then the secret is remade, and the remake is
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ func TestAnOwnSecretIsSealedToTheOperatorToo(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := inv.SecretForModule(ctx, "consumer", "postgres", "superuser"); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	remade, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "postgres", "superuser", "")
+	remade, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "postgres", "superuser", "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("the remade secret is not recoverable: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func TestAPairCredentialIsSealedToTheOperatorToo(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	kept, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "gitea", "secret", "")
+	kept, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "gitea", "secret", "", "")
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -194,10 +194,10 @@ func TestAPairCredentialIsSealedToTheOperatorToo(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := inv.SecretFor(ctx, "secret", "consumer", "gitea", "consumer", ""); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if _, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "gitea", "secret", ""); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "--provider") {
+	if _, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "gitea", "secret", "", ""); err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "--provider") {
 		t.Fatalf("two providers were not refused: %v", err)
 	}
-	if byName, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "gitea", "secret", "provider"); err != nil || byName.Provider != "provider" {
+	if byName, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "gitea", "secret", "provider", ""); err != nil || byName.Provider != "provider" {
 		t.Fatalf("naming the provider did not select it: %+v %v", byName, err)
 	}
 	pub2, _, _ := secrets.Keypair()
diff --git a/internal/inventory/secrets_test.go b/internal/inventory/secrets_test.go
index b6e015d..671f381 100644
--- a/internal/inventory/secrets_test.go
+++ b/internal/inventory/secrets_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"crypto/rand"
 	"encoding/base64"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/catalogue"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/secrets"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -673,3 +674,44 @@ func TestTwoLocalNamesAreTwoCredentials(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("the provider is told two credentials to create: %+v", from)
 	}
 }
+
+// The operator can recover either of two local names apart (review C3).
+func TestTheOperatorRecoversEachLocalNameApart(t *testing.T) {
+	inv, ctx := twoNodesWithKeys(t)
+	pub, _, err := secrets.Keypair()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := inv.SetOperatorKey(ctx, pub); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, local := range []string{"root-key", "root-pass"} {
+		if _, err := inv.SecretFor(ctx, "secret", "consumer", "gitea", "provider", local); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	key, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "gitea", "secret", "provider", "root-key")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	pass, err := inv.KeptSecret(ctx, "consumer", "gitea", "secret", "provider", "root-pass")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if key.Local != "root-key" || pass.Local != "root-pass" || key.Kind != "pair" {
+		t.Fatalf("recovery does not tell the two apart: %+v %+v", key, pass)
+	}
+	kept, _, _, err := inv.KeptForOperator(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var locals []string
+	for _, k := range kept {
+		if k.Kind == "pair" {
+			locals = append(locals, k.Local)
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.Join(locals, ",") != "root-key,root-pass" {
+		t.Fatalf("the export does not name the local names: %v", kept)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/link/ask.go b/internal/link/ask.go
index df29a8b..6d3a19c 100644
--- a/internal/link/ask.go
+++ b/internal/link/ask.go
@@ -49,9 +49,12 @@ func Ask(ctx context.Context, channel *amqp.Channel, module, tool string, args j
 		return Answer{}, err
 	}
 
+	// Mandatory, so a request nothing consumes comes straight back: a module that is down, or a
+	// tool that does not exist, is said at once rather than after the whole wait.
+	returned := channel.NotifyReturn(make(chan amqp.Return, 1))
 	id := fmt.Sprintf("ask-%d", time.Now().UnixNano())
 	key := module + "." + tool
-	if err := channel.PublishWithContext(ctx, RPCExchange, key, false, false, amqp.Publishing{
+	if err := channel.PublishWithContext(ctx, RPCExchange, key, true, false, amqp.Publishing{
 		ContentType:   "application/json",
 		CorrelationId: id,
 		ReplyTo:       replies.Name,
@@ -64,6 +67,13 @@ func Ask(ctx context.Context, channel *amqp.Channel, module, tool string, args j
 	defer cancel()
 	for {
 		select {
+		case back := <-returned:
+			if back.CorrelationId == id {
+				return Answer{}, fmt.Errorf(
+					"nothing serves %s: no runtime has bound %q on the broker. The module is not "+
+						"assigned, its runtime is not up, or it serves no such tool — `status` "+
+						"says whether the machine carrying it has applied", module, key)
+			}
 		case <-waiting.Done():
 			return Answer{}, fmt.Errorf(
 				"%s did not answer within %s. Its runtime serves %q when it is up and has bound "+